Laughter.
That's all he could hear.
He couldn't make out what else was being said (or rather screamed), but he didn't care. He already knew what they had to say.
"Faggot!"
"Gaylord!"
"Shouldn't you be calling for your boyfriend, Way?"
He felt himself grow weaker. He had long ago given up at fighting back, because he knew that they would stop after a while. Too much damage would be suspicious, and they didn't want to get themselves suspended. So, he did what he always did: Staying as still and small as possible.
But they didn't stop this time. Not when one of them hit him particularly hard and dislocated his shoulder. Not when they noticed he was starting to lose consciousness. No, they had other plans.
"Hey, Dave! Hold him down, will ya?"
"Uh, sure Stu.. Dude, what are you doing?"
"Nothing.. I just want to make sure that the fag remembers why no one likes him.."
Gerard jolted awake. He rubbed his tearstained face and sighed. After getting his breathing back to normal and cursing his subconscious, he got up from his bed and slowly made his way to his bathroom.
Without looking in the mirror, since that certainly wouldn't make him feel better, he cleaned his face and drank some water.
After turning off the light and walking back to his bed, he picked up his sketchbook and started doodling. 'It's not like I'm going to get much sleep anyway..'
By the time the first rays of light made their way through his tiny window, Gerard had drawn a whole army of tiny zombies and vampires that were devouring the complete population of New Jersey. A few zombies were busy ripping a bunch of jocks apart, while a small group of vampires were 'decorating' the necks of some cheerleaders. Satisfied, he put down the sketchbook and got ready for school. He didn't bother showering, 'I showered yesterday, I think..', so after putting on a pair of black jeans and a sweater he went upstairs, only to be greeted by a concerned looking mother.
"Honey..You look like you just came out of a coffin and not the basement. Did you have the nightmares again?"
"No mom", he lied. "I'm fine, honestly. Just stayed up too late reading comics, that's all."
He didn't want to bother his mom with his stupid nightmares, she had gone through enough thanks to him. He could handle this himself.
"Okay honey, if you're sure.. I just-" She was about to say something else when Mikey walked in.
"Oh, do I smell waffles?"
"Good morning to you too, Mikey.." His mother sighed and got up to get him some waffles, seemingly forgetting about their conversation. Gerard was glad she did, he never enjoyed talking about his 'feelings'.
After Mikey finished his waffles and Gerard ate some cereal, they both left the house and made their way over to Gerard's car. It may be an old and crappy car, but it was hís old and crappy car and he was eternally grateful for that.
They got in, but before Gerard could turn the keys, Mikey's hand stopped him.
"Mikey? Something wrong?" Mikey looked him in the eyes, and he could see the concern that was evidently there.
"I heard you and mom talk. Don't lie to her, Gee. You know she doesn't like that. "
"What do you-" Mikey interrupted him before he could finish his sentence.
"I heard you last night, Gee. I know you hate talking about it, but please. If you don't want to talk to her, talk to me. Okay?" Gerard nodded. Sometimes it felt like Mikey was his older brother, and not the other way around. As much as he hated to admit it, he felt safer knowing that his little brother had his back.
"Thanks, Mikey. I will." Gerard started the car and Mikey sat back in the passenger seat, fiddling with the radio. The rest of the ride was filled with a comfortable silence, only broken occasionally if Mikey found a radio station he liked and hummed along.